2026 NEO Adventure Fest Skill Session Registration 
We're so excited for you to join our skill sessions at the NEO Adventure Fest,. 

Below are the skill session times and descriptions. Please note that while you are pre-registering for the sessions here, we can't guarantee you a spot the day of if there is a large crowd. Arriving early will be your best option! Parking details are linked below. The purpose of pre-registering is to get your name on the list so if there are changes or other important information that we need to get to you before the festival.

Where:  Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Pavillion and Amphitheater

Address:  2085 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Date:  May 16, 2026

Time:  10 AM - 4 PM​​

Cost: FREE! 

Who: There is something for all ages and abilities.


LEARNING ZONE A - MEET AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE PLAZA AND WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK (HBGP) TOGETHER. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as we are incorporating 10-15 mins to walk the .25 mile to HBGP on either end of the session. There will be 30 mins of programming.

10:00 AM    Birds of Prey with Anna Goes Outside 

11:00 AM    Intro to Grounding with Sarah Fekete-Waite from YouBloom LLC 

12:00 PM    Intro to Group Forest Bathing with Jessica Jurcak from DiscovHer Wellbeing LLC 

1:00 PM    Grounding Yoga with Sarah Fekete Waite from YouBloom LLC 

2:00 PM    Beginner Birding  with Mary Beth from Wild Birds Unlimited of Cuyahoga Falls 

3:00 PM    TBD


LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA 

10:15 AM    How to Train Your Adventure Cat with Ryerson Valley Rescue

11:15 AM    Basic Gear Repair with Appalachian Outfitters 

12:15 PM    How to Pack a Backpack with Appalachian Outfitters 

1:15 PM    Hiking Shoe/Boot Clinic with Appalachian Outfitters 

2:15 PM    Intro to Water Filters/Stove Basics with Appalachian Outfitters 

3:15 PM    Intro to Knot Tying with Appalachian Outfitters 


LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION 

10:30 AM    The Geology of the Cuyahoga Valley with Susan Richards 

11:30 AM    Sustainable Web Design with Tyler Phillips 

12:30 AM    Learn to Belay with Climb Youngstown 

1:30 PM    LNT Principles with Michael Sander 

2:30 PM    Packing for the Trail: Explore the 10 Essentials with Jane Fitz from Cleveland Metroparks


ADDITIONAL INFO

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to get to the right spot for your session - see the site map embedded into the form below to know where to meet. Each of the learning zone locations are marked in PURPLE.


PARKING

This map highlights the parking garages as well as other restaurants and shops nearby. Please note that while the Red Garage is closest, the lower levels are reserved for the condos nearby. There may be spaces at the top but it might be best to try the Blue and Green garages first. Please note that there will be construction happening on Front St. south of Broad St.


LIABILITY:

The outdoor adventures discussed in the NEO Adventure Fest Skill Sessions inherently dangerous and involve risk of injury and death. Open Trail Collective, Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership, the City of Cuyahoga Falls, NEO Adventure Fest, Adventure Directory, and our partners are not responsible for any incidents, injuries, damages, or death.


CONTACT:
Please reach out to Kara@opentrailcollective.org with any questions.
Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Email *
Your Name *
10:00 AM    Birds of Prey with Anna Goes Outside 

Go outside with Anna Goes Outside as we talk about birds of prey native to NE Ohio! Learn about where they are, how to identify them, and how to mindfully engage with local wildlife.

PLEASE MEET AT LEARNING ZONE A SO YOU CAN WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK AS A GROUP. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as the group will meet on the southeast corner of the plaza and walk together to HBGP. There will be 30 mins of programming before another walk back together to the plaza.
Clear selection

10:15 AM    How to Train Your Adventure Cat with Ryerson Valley Rescue

Have you always wanted to take your cat outdoors with you but aren't sure how? Come learn with Bathtub, the Ambassador Cat for Ryerson Valley Rescue! We will teach you how to know if your cat can be leash trained to enjoy outdoor time with you! We will discuss harnesses, comfort, carriers, and strollers. Like dogs, cats should always be safely under control of their humans. Come learn how to keep your cat safe and engaged!


LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

10:30 AM    The Geology of the Cuyahoga Valley with Susan Richards 

I have written a field guide to the geology of the trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I will talk about the geology and how it influences the landscape.


LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

11:00 AM    Intro to Grounding with Sarah Fekete-Waite from YouBloom LLC 


Grounding 101 will provide an educational overview on what grounding is and the benefits of it. Participants will be led through mindful movement, breathing techniques, and sensory awareness to round out the program.

PLEASE MEET AT LEARNING ZONE A SO YOU CAN WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK AS A GROUP. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as the group will meet on the southeast corner of the plaza and walk together to HBGP. There will be 30 mins of programming before another walk back together to the plaza.

Clear selection

11:15 AM    Basic Gear Repair with Appalachian Outfitters 

LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

11:30 AM    Sustainable Web Design with Tyler Phillips 


I help businesses and individuals understand how they can make their websites sustainable and less damaging for the planet, along with providing valuable insights on how to track your websites carbon footprint.

LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

12:00 PM    Intro to Group Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) with Jessica Jurcak from DiscovHer Wellbeing LLC 


Learn about the wellbeing practice of Forest Bathing, from the Japanese practice Shinrin Yoku. We will have a discussion about what Forest Bathing is, what to expect in a group session, and how it can benefit wellbeing. 

Then we will practice 1-2 brief nature connection activities that will provide a taste of what the full experience would include.

PLEASE MEET AT LEARNING ZONE A SO YOU CAN WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK AS A GROUP. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as the group will meet on the southeast corner of the plaza and walk together to HBGP. There will be 30 mins of programming before another walk back together to the plaza.

Clear selection

12:15 PM    How to Pack a Backpack with Appalachian Outfitters 

LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

12:30 PM    Learn to Belay with Climb Youngstown 

We will meet at Learning Zone C and move to another space to learn belaying basics!

NOTE: Participants will not actually be belaying another person. It is recommended that you also attend an in-person belay class at your local top-rope gym before using these skills in the wild.

LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

1:00 PM    Grounding Yoga with Sarah Fekete Waite from YouBloom LLC 

Grounding Yoga is an all-levels, gentle yoga class that emphasizes grounding practices and intuitive movement. This practice is perfect for stress release, increasing body awareness, and deepening your connection to nature.

PLEASE MEET AT LEARNING ZONE A SO YOU CAN WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK AS A GROUP. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as the group will meet on the southeast corner of the plaza and walk together to HBGP. There will be 30 mins of programming before another walk back together to the plaza.

Clear selection

1:15 PM    Hiking Shoe/Boot Clinic with Appalachian Outfitters 

LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

1:30 PM    LNT Principles with Michael Sander 

This workshop introduces participants to the seven Leave No Trace principles and their practical application to day hiking. Participants will explore how personal decisions impact natural environments, fellow hikers, and local communities. Through discussion, case examples, and scenario-based learning, participants will learn how to plan and carry out a day hike that minimizes environmental impact while promoting responsible outdoor recreation.

LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection
2:00 PM    Beginner Birding  with Mary Beth from Wild Birds Unlimited of Cuyahoga Falls 

Join Naturalist Mary Beth from Wild Birds Unlimited while we explore the birds that visit the WBU Community Bird Feeding Station at High Bridge Glens. All levels of bird lovers are welcome. Scavenger hunt activity included.

PLEASE MEET AT LEARNING ZONE A SO YOU CAN WALK TO HIGH BRIDGE GLENS PARK AS A GROUP. These sessions will be ~60 mins long as the group will meet on the southeast corner of the plaza and walk together to HBGP. There will be 30 mins of programming before another walk back together to the plaza.
Clear selection

2:15 PM    Intro to Water Filters/Stove Basics with Appalachian Outfitters 

LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection

2:30 PM    Packing for the Trail: Explore the 10 Essentials with Jane Fitz from Cleveland Metroparks

Learn what to bring on an outing to be comfortable and prepared! Participants will learn what to consider when packing gear, explore different styles of equipment, and practice selecting appropriate gear for different scenarios in this interactive presentation.

LEARNING ZONE C - INSIDE THE PAVILION. This session will be ~30 mins.

Clear selection
3:15 PM    Intro to Knot Tying with Appalachian Outfitters 

LEARNING ZONE B - SEATED OUTSIDE ON PLAZA. This session will be ~30 mins.
Clear selection
A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
reCAPTCHA
PrivacyTerms
This form was created inside of opentrailcollective.org.

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Google Forms